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Monday, May 20, 2013

Stitch Fix Review: The Sequel

If you'd like to read about my first experience with more detail about how Stitch Fix actually works, here is my first review.

I just received my second box from Stitch Fix and let me start out by saying, I am torn. I am so very torn.

Let's start at the beginning with what came in my box.

Delanie Floral Print Self Tie Dress, $78. This dress had a lot of potential. The fabric is soft and feminine, the red is almost coral in color, and the buttons on the top of the sleeves is a cute touch. However, the cut just did not work on me. It's too boxy and the drawstring waist wasn't enough to fix it. Also, it was just a little too casual for me to think I could dress it up for work. Back in the box.

Claudia Cut Out Silk Tank Top, $88. I really don't understand this top. Where are you supposed to wear it? And who is supposed to wear it? Flowy button-up tops like are nearly impossible to wear unless you've got a BMI under 20 or a cup size under B. And the potential sunburn lines! It looks better on me in pictures (although pictures really don't do the cerulean color justice), but this shirt was a mess in person.

Multi Chain Layered Short Necklace, $38. This necklace almost didn't go back in the box. I loved the idea of a dozen or so chains of nearly the same length. However, the deep red dipping concerned me. I'm sure it would look go on a lot of people with a lot of different outfits, but I couldn't figure out how to wear it. Apparently, Stitch fix doesn't include styling instructions with jewelry. The deep red didn't go with enough clothes I have to justify spending $38.

Sophia Skinny Jeans, $88. According to the internet, you get what you pay for when it comes to jeans. I've never actually tested this hypothesis because I've never had an expensive pair of jeans fit well enough to justify spending the money. And these jeans didn't fit either. A size too small. Granted, if I were in a store, I would have tried on the next up size and I may have considered spending the $88 for them. They were well constructed and the denim was much higher quality than the Target jeans I'm currently wearing. If I had money burning a hole in my pocket, I may google the brand and see if I can find them in a size that fits me, but this pair was a no-go.

Cherry Hi-Low Racer Back Tank, $38. When I opened the box, just looking at the fabrics, I would not have told you that I would be keeping the cherry print top. I can't say I've ever been a fan of cherry print, I actually think they're a little played out. However, the small scale of the print and the jewel tones changed my mind. It's a polyester, but you'd never guess by touching it. It feels like it's much higher quality. Also, with the flowiness and the high-low cut, it'll be great on days I feel puffy. Throw a cardigan over it and wear it to work. It was the sole survivor of this box.

So, again, the box was one for five. It could have been worse.

Here's where I am torn. I love the idea of Stitch Fix. I love the idea of a stylist picking out a bunch of pieces for you, based on your profile, sending it to you with styling ideas, and trying them on at home. That being said, I don't feel like that's what Stitch Fix delivered. I don't feel like the pieces were chosen for me.

Yes, there were improvements between the first and second boxes, but I also greatly increased the amount of information I gave them. Hell, I included a link to my blog post about my first box. And yes, there was a note about how none of the pieces were sheer because I said I'm not a fan of tops that must be layered.

However, I would never wear that cerulean top. They tend to only work on waify frames, which from my profile measurements and blog pics, I am clearly not. Secondly, even if it flattered my body type, I couldn't wear it to work. My profile designates that I'd like most of my pieces to be work appropriate. Lastly, it was $88! That's insane! I know I have it set for tops between $50-100, but there is no way that that top should cost that much. In my mind, I will spend $75 on a nice cashmere sweater, not a tangled blouse.

The main reason I think I'm torn, though, is that I'm still unsure of what I want from Stitch Fix. The reason I joined was that I really wanted to branch out and try new clothes that I never would have considered. I never would have tried on the cherry top, but I have to say it's perfect for me. On the other hand, I feel like the stylist just chooses a couple of pieces they get at a discount, check that the sizes are close enough, and throw them in a box. For what I'm paying for the 'stylist fee' and the cost of these pieces, I feel like more of the items in the box should be up my alley.

There's a couple other little gripes I had:

There's no notice when your return has been processed. The thing that makes me the most nervous about Stitch Fix is the potential for the returned items to get lost in the mail and ending up having to pay for everything. After my first return to Stitch Fix, I was constantly checking me email, waiting to hear if they had made it back safe and sound. Nothing. If not an email, at least make it an option on your website that I can check my order's progress. Keep a girl in the loop!

The Style Profile isn't detailed enough. Why not have inputs where I can give you my measurements? Me telling you that I'm a size 10 in pants doesn't really mean anything when a 10 from Old Navy is a 16 at Forever 21 (Shut up! So I buy cheap clothes a lot!). Also, the "Final Comments" box portion of the style profile is much too small. I felt like there were all kinds of things I still had to say when the character count cut me off. People will probably assume that I am hovering and trying to be too involved in the process, but how does having more information about me hurt?

Let me know the style profile update deadline. After my first delivery, I went through and updated my style profile to make sure it was really reflecting me and my style. A couple of weeks passed and I wanted to add something to my profile, but it was only like two weeks before the next shipment was to be delivered. It would have been great to know if I still had time to make adjustments or if I had missed the deadline. Or even a reminder email that they would be starting building my box in a few days if I had any last minute updates or requests.

I inadvertently spoiled the surprise of what was in my box. I logged on to double-check the arrival date of my next box (to make sure I hadn't scheduled it for when I would be out of town) and they were already asking me how I liked all my pieces! With detailed descriptions! Now, this may not be a negative to some people, but I am a girl who loves a surprise. I was really disappointed.

Maybe my expectations are just too high. I still have hope for Stitch Fix, but not as much as I initially did. I'm going to give it one last shot next month and hopefully I'll be blown away by my next box. I've requested a maxi skirt and breathable work clothes. Stay tuned...

1 comment:

I feel like I am in the same boat with you about Stitchfix! I actually waited until right before my birthday (in June) to get my next box because I was feeling a bit frustrated about certain aspects of the process/result. Especially since I think, due to the company expanding and getting many more people, it just doesn't feel as "personal" to me as I had hoped for.